/PRNewswire/ -- In an effort to reduce the growing prevalence of diabetes, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia (BCBSGa), is the premiere sponsor of the Atlanta Tour de Cure® (TDC) on Sunday, May 15, 2011 at Bouckaert Farm in Fairburn, Georgia. This multi-faceted ride is the American Diabetes Association's (ADA) annual national cycling event benefitting diabetes research and advocacy to help change the future of diabetes and help stop its devastating complications.
The American Diabetes Association's Tour de Cure event is more than just a fun day outdoors. Participating in the Tour is about giving hope to the 26 million people currently living with diabetes, as well as to their families and their friends – ultimately finding a cure and preventing the threat faced by the 57 million Americans currently at risk.
To further enhance this commitment, Morgan Kendrick, BCBSGa president has been appointed as the Tour's Executive Sponsor, where he will be responsible for communicating the importance of BCBSGa's partnership with the ADA to both internal and external audiences throughout the state, in addition to serving as a corporate contact for other companies interested in joining the event.
"I am honored to serve as the Executive Sponsor and have already joined our BCBSGa Blue Blazers team," said Morgan Kendrick, president, BCBSGa. "In fact, we are encouraging our employees to support this cause by joining our cycling team or to volunteer their time at the event. The Tour provides a great opportunity for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia's employees to join together for a day of fun, fitness and entertainment."
"More than likely we all know someone impacted by diabetes," continued Kendrick. "I know that's true for me and true for a majority of our 3,200 employees across the state. We really want Georgians to know that we've joined the movement to stop diabetes."
Individuals and teams composed of co-workers, family and friends will be taking the ride of their life and will join the groundswell of a combined 40,000-plus cyclists and volunteers who will be participating in events across the country. Tour de Cure is designed for all skill levels from the occasional rider to the experienced cyclist and offers five routes, including:
* 10-Mile Fun Ride: This Family-Friendly Fun Ride is accessible to all ages and fitness levels, featuring a flat, enjoyable road that stretches along a serene area of the Silk Sheets trail.
* 14-Mile Ride: The 14-mile ride offers a moderate challenge while being safe and scenic. Frequent rest stops and plenty of SAG patrols make this ride a great choice for everyone, from the beginner to intermediate cyclist.
* 34-Mile Ride: The 34-mile ride is the perfect choice for an intermediate cyclist. This scenic route offers a greater challenge and yet is fully supported by our SAG vehicles and full rest stops.
* 62-Mile Metric Century: This 62-mile metric century features a fun yet challenging ride through the Silk Sheets - a perfect choice for the advanced cyclist or a rider who wants an even greater challenge. Full route support ensures a safe ride from start to finish.
* 100-Mile Century: This 100-mile century is a true test of endurance – best suited for the experienced cyclist. Traversing 100 miles on Fairburn's (Silk Sheets) best roads guarantee an unforgettable experience.
"We are truly excited to have Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia as a sponsor of this momentous national event here in Georgia," said Michael Gault, Senior Executive Director, Atlanta/North Georgia Region American Diabetes Association. "Their contributions will help provide needed funds to help the nearly 26 million Americans living with diabetes – including more than 1 million Georgians."
"I encourage other Georgia companies and individuals to start their own team because every dollar raised benefits diabetes research," said Kendrick.
The Tour de Cure raises funds through registration fees and pledges collected by the individual cyclists. To register visit: www.diabetes.org/atlantatourdecure or call Aimee Simpson at 404-320-7100 x3034.
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Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Georgia's Cyclists are Pedaling Hard to Stop Diabetes at Local Tour de Cure Event
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Six Gap Century Offers Two New Jersey Designs for All Cyclists
Two Weeks & 650 Spots Remain for Sept. 26 Bicycle Event
The countdown clock at www.cyclenorthgeorgia.com reads “15 Days” until the start of the 22nd Annual Six Gap Century & Three Gap Fifty, organized by the Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Chamber of Commerce. Registrations are still available for all three ride options on Sunday, September 26, 2010. Only 650 spots remain for the popular bicycle tour of the North Georgia Mountains, from the ultra-challenging century, to the 58.4 three gap ride, and the 35-mile Valley Ride. The event is expected to reach its goal of 2,500 registered riders.
To commemorate one of the largest and oldest single-day bicycle tours in the Southeast, organizers have introduced two new souvenir jerseys created by Hincapie Sportswear. There are a total of six different jersey designs from Hincapie for sale on the event web site. All jerseys are $65 online, and all registered riders receive 15% discount for an online purchase. Official Six Gap socks will also be available this year, available at the Bike Expo.
The 2010 Mountain Sunburst Six Gap and 2010 Blue Mountain Map Six Gap jerseys were specially designed by Hincapie Sportswear for this popular event. Both designs incorporate elements from the event logo on both sides of the jersey. Using the SmartDry® performance fabric, this jersey incorporates exclusive moisture management technology to wick perspiration away from the skin, keeping you drier and more comfortable. Hincapie's exclusive SunSmart technology provides a 30+ Ultraviolet Protection Factor to help protect the skin from the harmful effects of UVA and UVB radiation. And Hincapie™ Gel-Grip waist keeps the jersey in place and prevents it from riding up in the back for superior comfort. Each short sleeve jersey has a full-length zipper and three roomy back pockets.
“We are very pleased to be the official jersey and sock provider to the Six Gap Century,” said Rich Hincapie, president of Hincapie Sportswear. “I’ve done the ride before and it’s a fantastic route. I think six Gap was one of our first century ride custom jersey customers, and we’ve seen the ride grow quite a bit over the years. This year there are multiple jersey designs available, so there should be something that appeals to everyone.”
Blue Mountain Map jerseys are available for men in sizes small to 2XL in race cut and in sizes medium to 2XL in club cut. Women's jerseys are available in sizes x-small to medium in club cut. Mountain Sunburst jerseys are available for men in sizes small to 2XL in race cut and in sizes small to 3XL in club cut. Women's jerseys are available in sizes x-small to large in club cut.
Hincapie Sportswear also creates the special award jerseys presented to the King of the Mountain and Queen of the Mountain competitions this year. Four individuals (two age groups for males and females) will be crowned as the top climbers in the Six Gap event, using a combined time for climbing Hogpen Gap and Wolfpen Gap. Of the two climbs, Hogpen Gap, on Georgia SR 348, rises to 3800 feet over 9.6 miles, and has a two-mile section with gradients of 12-14%.
The Six Gap Century covers a total of 11,200 feet of climbing over 104 miles. The Three Gap Fifty option covers almost 6,400 feet of climbing on a 58-mile route. And the new 35-mile Valley Ride has 2,900 vertical feet along the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The majority of participants are “Six Gappers”, with 86% being male and living in the Southeast. A total of 35 states and countries were represented last year on all rides, including California, Minnesota, and Texas. Proceeds from the event help fund community initiatives for the Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Chamber of Commerce, a 501 c (6) not-for-profit organization. The Six Gap Century has become one of the largest events for the chamber.
Online registration is $50 per person for any of the three ride options until September 23. After that date, participants can register in Dahlonega for $55 per person at the Bike Expo on Saturday, September 25. The Bike Expo will be held on the Historic Dahlonega Square and it is free for all visitors. All participants are encouraged to attend the Bike Expo on Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. to pickup registration packets and visit sponsor exhibits. Sunday event registration will near the start line at the Lumpkin County High School, two miles north of downtown Dahlonega, from 6:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.
DETAILS:
- Six Gap Century – 7:30 a.m. start - Thisultra-challenging route takes you up and down six of the steepest climbs in the North Georgia Mountains, with more than 11,200 feet of vertical climbing over the 104-mile course. Elevations for the six gaps in this ride range from 2,949 feet to 3,490 feet.
- Three Gap Fifty – 8:30 a.m. start –Half the gaps for participants who want a shorter ride but just as much scenery and challenging climbs. This course is 58 miles and elevations range from 3,109 feet to 3,280 feet.
- Valley Ride – 8:30 a.m. start - This 35-mile ride option is a great introduction to the rolling terrain in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, featuring the scenic areas of the Yahoola Valley and DeSoto Falls near Turner's Corner.
- KOM Competition –Two climbs will be timed for registered riders on the Six Gap route only. Timing will be computed using AMB ProChip System. There will be two age groups for males and females for a total of four winners – Male/Female (34 and under), Male/Female (35 and over). Only two climbs (Hog Pen and Wolf Pen) will be timed; the event is a ride, not a race. There were two winners in 2009 – Top Male, Eric Murphy (Athens, Ga) total KOM time 0:44:38.558, and Top Female, Debbie Milne (Belden, Miss) total KOM time 0:50:52:362.
- 2010 Bike Expo –Held Saturday, Sept. 25 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m on the Historic Dahlonega Square. All cyclists are encouraged to attend for early pick up of registration packets, to avoid long lines on Sunday morning. The Bike Expo offers interactive exhibits and prizes from event sponsors. It is free and open to the public.
- Web Site –www.cyclenorthgeorgia.com
- Neels Gap, 3139’/ 957 m (part of Three Gap)
- Jack’s Gap, 2960’/902 m
- Unicoi Gap, 2949’/899 m
- Hogpen Gap, 3480’/ 1061 m
- Wolf Pen Gap, 3345’/ 1019 m (part of Three Gap)
- Woody Gap, 3200’/ 975 m (part of Three Gap)
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